Harry Potter and the Prancing of Ponies
Formal Premise: The inventors of the Mirror wanted to create a device that could channel infinite magic and grant wishes. The hard part was making sure those wishes would never destroy the world. Showing a person their heart's desire is a sensible precaution to put into a wish-granting machine designed NOT to go horribly wrong.
The Atlanteans got close, even managing to imbue some amount of intelligence and morality into the Mirror. But they never finished their work; the Mirror never DID get to the point where it could grant wishes... at least, nobody believes it ever got to that point. But then, nobody has ever been trapped inside the Mirror and returned to tell the tale.
When the Mirror traps someone inside itself and outside of Time, that person and their consequences can no longer affect the world. In that circumstance, with a person fully under its power, the Mirror isn't limited in what it can do. Sometimes, it can even grant seemingly incompatible wishes.
But complex problems require complex solutions. In this case, the Mirror takes a few massive liberties about how, exactly, it satisfies the wishes of both Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. Namely, it sends them to a world of ponies.
Informal Premise: This is a crossover between MLP and Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, not just Harry Potter. No matter how accessible I try to make it to those who haven't read HPMoR, those who HAVE read it will undeniably have an easier experience reading this story.
HPMoR is the second most popular fanfiction of Harry Potter, at least according to fanfiction stats. It involves Harry studying & dissecting the wizarding world with science. Not with technology, with actual science. That is, he uses the experimental method, generates and tests hypotheses, and in the words of his Occlumency instructor, "wants to discover the underlying rules of magic to become all-poweful".
THIS fanfic brings THAT version of Harry Potter to Equestria. It also brings that story's version of Voldemort.
If you want the best reading experience, please go read HPMoR first. It can be found on fanfiction dot net, or on its own website, or even on any podcast app, as it has its own fan-made audiobook with 30+ contributing voice actors, production quality, sound effects, music, etc. (which is more than can be said for most PROFESSIONAL audiobooks).
Link to HPMoR on fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5782108/1/Harry-Potter-and-the-Methods-of-Rationality
Link to HPMoR on its own website: http://www.hpmor.com/chapter/1
Link to audiobook (though the website isn't nearly as good as podcast apps): https://hpmorpodcast.com/?page_id=56
All forms of HPMoR that I've encountered are high quality, but that doesn't mean it's for everyone. You can probably read the first few chapters of HPMoR in thirty minutes or so. If it doesn't appeal to you, this story probably won't appeal to you either.
For those who haven't read Methods and want to read this story anyway, the first two chapters are going to be the most confusing. They're mostly housekeeping and stage-setting, barely touching the MLP universe beyond the new setting.
And I think the same advice Yudkowsky gave for HPMoR applies here. The story starts hitting its strides around Chapter 5, if not sooner. If you don't like it by Chapter 10, best just to give up and read something else.
122 Chapters:
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Chapter 1: A Trap of Very Low Probability [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,870
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Chapter 2: HE'S THE END OF THE WORLD... as we know it. [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,229
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Chapter 3: Resurrection? [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
2,277
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Chapter 4: Reconnaissance [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,614
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Chapter 5: Restarting the March of Reason [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,481
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Chapter 6: Nightmare Moon and a Riddle [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,063
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Chapter 7: Plans for the Future [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,452
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Chapter 8: Placement Tests [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,386
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Chapter 9: Friendship Meddling [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,328
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Chapter 10: Progress [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,331
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Chapter 11: Laps [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,646
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Chapter 12: Determined to Disprove [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
2,561
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Chapter 13: Faith in Others [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,616
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Chapter 14: The Fosbury Conspiracy [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,487
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Chapter 15: Efficient Learning Practices [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,379
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Chapter 16: Invitations [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,838
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Chapter 17: First Lesson [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,836
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Chapter 18: Waiting [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,190
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Chapter 19: Participation [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,985
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Chapter 20: Royal Courts [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,217
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Chapter 21: Royal Responses [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,217
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Chapter 22: Foil [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,679
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Chapter 23: Safety and Practice [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,445
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Chapter 24: First Day on the Job [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,008
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Chapter 25: Possibly False Hope [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,208
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Chapter 26: Truth vs. Honesty [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,415
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Chapter 27: Going Through the Motions [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,781
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Chapter 28: Infinite Solution Space [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,040
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Chapter 29: New Life [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,498
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Chapter 30: Twilight's Troubles [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,193
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Chapter 31: Afterparty [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,127
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Chapter 32: Goals [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,749
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Chapter 33: Placement Tests, Round 2 [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,412
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Chapter 34: Mature Choices [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,559
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Chapter 35: Politics, Policies, and Debate [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,605
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Chapter 36: Humanmagi [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,688
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Chapter 37: Incompatible? [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,109
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Chapter 38: The Gala [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,720
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Chapter 39: Attempted Affection and its Aftermath [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,527
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Chapter 40: A Fair Exchange of Favours [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,511
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Chapter 41: The Unbreakable Vow, and a Hint of Revenge [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,175
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Chapter 42: Bring Your Youngling to Work Night [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,507
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Rehabilitation, Part 0: Diagnosis [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,520
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Chapter 43: The Night of Summer Sun [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,037
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Chapter 44: Generosity [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,292
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Chapter 45: Gatekeeper [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,608
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Chapter 46: Terms and Conditions Apply [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
8,254
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Chapter 47: Bypass [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
9,452
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Rehabilitation, Part -1: Double Bypass [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,755
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Chapter 48: Declaring War on the World [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
1,548
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Rehabilitation, Part 1: Motivation [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,495
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Rehabilitation, Part 2: Heart [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,500
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Rehabilitation, Part 3: Hesitation [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
9,054
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Rehabilitation, Part 4: Temptation [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
1,899
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Chapter 49: Declaring War on the World('s Dementors) [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,356
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Rehabilitation, Part 5: Harmony [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,405
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Rehabilitation, Part 6: Chaos [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
10,359
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Rehabilitation, Part 7.1: Attempted Murder [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,689
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Rehabilitiation, Part 7.2: Successful Murder [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
8,709
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Chapter 50: The Big Lie [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,070
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Chapter 51: The Big """"Truth"""" [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,555
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Rehabilitation, Part 7.3: "Full" Disclosure [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
10,271
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Rehabilitation, Part 8.1: Night Court [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,474
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Rehabilitation, Part 8.2: Decent Exposure [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,631
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Chapter 52: Family Reunions [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,851
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Chapter 53: Lucius Malfoy, from Past to Present [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,118
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Chapter 54: The Wisdom of the Wizengamot [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
9,689
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Rehabilitation Part 9.1: Learning from History [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,850
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Rehabilitation Part 9.2: Drastic Measures [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
8,723
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Rehabilitation Part 9.3: The Will to Kill [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,612
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Rehabilitation, Part 10.1: Relapse [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
2,237
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Chapter 55: Politics, Military, Virtue [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,992
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Chapter 56: The House Cup and the Wisdom of Wizardry [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
2,695
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Rehabilitation Part 10.2: Relief [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
1,499
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Chapter 57: Severus Snape [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,615
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Rehabilitation Part 10.3: Treating Morality as a Relationship [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
2,434
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Chapter 58: Summer Plans [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,404
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Rehabilitation 10.4: Comas, Emergencies, and Apologies [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,390
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Chapter 59: The Adults in Diagon Alley [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,592
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Rehabilitation 10.5: Immune System of the Soul [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,515
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Chapter 60: Return to Equestria [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,545
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Rehabilitation 10.6: Property Rights vs. Property Reichs [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,038
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Chapter 61: Worlds Collide [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,575
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Chapter 62: Humanity's Debut [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,443
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Chapter 63: Heroic Opposition [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,669
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Chapter 64: All Fun and Games [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,398
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Rehabilitation 11.1: Master Fool [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,242
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Rehabilitation 11.2: Trip to Tartarus [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,582
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Rehabilitation 11.3: Consulting Magic [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,401
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Rehabilitation 11.4: Canterlot Conference [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,780
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Chapter 65: New Hire [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,633
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Rehabilitation 11.5: Consulting Willpower [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,715
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Chapter 66: Ponyback Rides [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,585
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Rehabilitation 12.1: Dilemma [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,765
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Rehabilitation 12.2: Letting In [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,705
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Chapter 67: Express Permission [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,866
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Rehabilitation 13.1: Thinking Inside the Boxes [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,417
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Chapter 68: New Year, New and/or Old Problems [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,749
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Rehabilitation 13.2: Conspiracy Counter-Theory [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,268
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Chapter 69: On the Other Foot [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,465
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Rehabilitation 13.3: Beyond the Veil [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,511
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Chapter 70: Touring the Truth [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,942
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Rehabilitation 13.4: We Shall Not See Each Other Again [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
9,012
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Chapter 71: Are You Prepared? [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,885
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Rehabilitation 13.5: When Your House Eats a Dark Lord... [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
8,406
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Chapter 72: Blinded By The Light [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
9,656
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Rehabilitation 14.1: A Tendency Towards Tyranny [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,207
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Chapter 73: Find the Celebrity [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
11,540
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Rehabilitation 14.2: Securing Knowledge [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,344
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Chapter 74: NO 'ELP! [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,846
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Rehabilitation 14.3: The Unearned Climax [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,923
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Chapter 75: Ascending Above Addiction [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
7,075
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Rehabilitation 14.4: Constant Vigilance [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
8,278
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Chapter 76: The Color of the Sky [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
3,163
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Rehabilitation 15.1: Sanctioning Starlight [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,145
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Chapter 77: Ignorant and/or Impotent [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,200
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Rehabilitation 15.2: Sessioning Starlight [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
2,700
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Chapter 78: UnKind [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,692
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Rehabilitation 15.3: The Silent Killer of Happiness [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
4,080
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Omake: Queen of England [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
1,731
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Chapter 79: False Assumptions [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
5,832
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Chapter 80: Convincing Your Heirs They're Right [Cache]
Mar 28th, 2021
6,307